Discourses of Rumi

discourse 45Rumi asked: What is the name of that youth?Someone said: “Saif al-Din (“Sword of theFaith”).Rumi said: No one can judge a sword while itis still in its scabbard. Truly, the Sword of theFaith is one who defends the way, dedicates theirefforts wholly to God, who reveals rightness fromerror and distinguishes truth from falsehood. Butfirst they correct themselves and improve theirown character: “Begin with yourself,” said theProphet.So they direct all discipline first to themselves,saying, “After all, I too am human. I have handsand feet, ears and understanding, eyes and amouth. The prophets and saints—who attainedGod’s favor and reached their goal—they werehuman like me with reason, a tongue, hands andfeet. Why were they shown the way? Why is thisdoor that was opened to them, closed to me?”Such a person corrects themselves night and day,